How to talk to your kids about Michael Vick’s release from prison

May 18, 10:45 PMAtlanta Northside Family & Parenting ExaminerJackie Kass

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egyptsaidso.com - Michael Vick

My then 10-year-old son was a huge Michael Vick fan, one of the biggest, before the dog fighting accusations first came to light. He had a framed poster of the Falcons’ superstar on his wall, placed a Michael Vick bobble head in a place of honor on his bookshelf, and wore his Michael Vick jersey almost every day. I literally had to peel it off of his back in order to throw it in the washing machine.

Then came those fateful days when the dog-fighting allegations started making the headlines. My impressionable son, also an avid animal lover, was crushed. He didn’t want to talk about his fallen hero for a long time. It wasn’t until Vick was sent to prison did he really open up about his disappointment. We talked about it at length, and although extremely disappointed, he admitted that his one-time hero was rightfully sent to prison. We then boxed up his Michael Vick bobble head, replaced his poster with one of a soccer superstar, and the beloved jersey? Well it too was eventually replaced with a Matt Ryan one. My son was able to accept the situation and move on.

Now he is two years older, and less impressionable, yet still a huge football fan. He understands that Michael Vick will be released from prison this week. When I asked him if Vick were to return to football, would he be a fan again? He promptly said, “I don’t think so.”

I was proud of him. He didn’t say anything angry or hateful about Michael Vick, despite his huge disappointment two years ago. He just said that he wouldn’t be a fan again if he returned to football. I think this is a healthy response. Vick has done the time for his crime, and the price tag was huge. If he does return to football, it’s unlikely that he will reach his previous fame and glory.

I’m sure there are a lot of parents in Atlanta facing similar discussions with their own children. Be sure to keep the talk open and frank, and let your kids express their own feelings. Talk about Vick’s crime, and the price he had to pay for it. Michael Vick actually taught my son life lessons about being a decent human being, and the price for making wrong decisions. Hours of lectures from me couldn’t have made half the impression that the Michael Vick situation did. If Vick does return to football, I know for a fact that he does so without the support of his biggest fan, my smart son.

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